LGS 

There are now 20 Local Geological Sites designated in Berkshire.
For a full list of these and details please contact us.

 

Conservation Work   

Some of the sites need additional interpretation and others need regular maintenance - contact us if you can assist with this.

What are Local Geological Sites?

sarsens

Local Geological Sites (LGS) are sites within the county that are considered worthy of protection for their Earth Science or landscape importance, but are not already protected as SSSIs. The network of Berkshire LGS, forms part of the nationwide network, and incorporates sites of educational, research, historical, or aesthetically importance. The network includes sites of importance to both professional and amateur geologists, as well as those sites amenable to and of interest to the general public. Sites selected for inclusion within Berkshire LGS will vary in the level that they are suitable for and this will be evident in the description. Some sites selected are suitable for enhancement work and will be or are already open public access, but this is not appropriate or practical for all sites selected as LGS.

Why do we want to conserve geological sites?

Conservation of Earth science sites, be they rock outcrops, natural landscape or historical sites, is important for several reasons:

  • To preserve our geological record for the future
  • To train future geologists and geographers
  • To provide an essential teaching ground for schools and universities
  • To provide material for future research
  • To provide sites for a rapidly developing leisure industry
  • To preserve geological sites which also have historical, archaeological, cultural or wildlife value back to top

Site selection

Sites are selected as satisfying one or more of the following criteria:

  1. Research importance (potential for professional researchers or for Earth scientists in industry).
  2. Educational importance: schools, colleges, universities, societies, etc.
  3. Aesthetic importance (relating to raising public awareness in geology, geomorphology or conservation).
  4. Historical importance (where an important concept or work of note was carried out or inspired

Berkshire Local Geological Sites

There are 20 designated sites in Berkshire including:
Chieveley – Old Kiln Quarry
Rushall Farm – Owl Quarry
Snelsmore Common (part)
Wargrave Chalk Pit

Contact us if you would like more information.